Hinduism



Hinduism is the worlds most ancient religion. The founder and year of origin are unknown as Hinduism precedes recorded history. One of the most prominent Hindu leaders was Gandhi. Followers of the religion may worship at shrines in their homes or at temples. The top 10 countries that practice Hinduism are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, U.S.A., South Africa, and Myanmar.

Main Beliefs


There are about nine main beliefs in Hinduism. These are four of the most important:
1: Hindus believe in one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality
2: Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the worlds most ancient scripture
3: Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution
4: Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words, an deeds


Gods


Three of the most important Hindu gods are Brahma, who is the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.

Sacred Writings



There are four Vedas, the Rig Vedas, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism but have had an influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Scholars have determined that the oldest of the Vedas, the Rig Veda, was composed about 1500 B.C.